ROOMIE Act
- Bill Number
- S. 102
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-27T20:30:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The ROOMIE Act (Reinforce Occupancy Obligations for Maximized Interagency Efficiency Act) aims to increase in-person work among federal employees and ensure higher occupancy of federal office spaces. It addresses findings of low building utilization, wasted taxpayer dollars on underused properties, and health risks from vacant buildings, promoting efficiency in federal real estate management.
Key Provisions
- In-Person Work Mandate: Within 120 days of enactment, each federal agency head must update policies to require at least 80% of employees to work in-person from Monday through Friday each week, excluding federal holidays (as defined in U.S. law).
- Office Space Occupancy Requirement: Agencies must occupy at least 60% of the "usable square feet" (the functional, rentable area of a building, as defined by the General Services Administration or GSA) in their owned, leased, or controlled federal civilian real property.
- Exception for Small Agencies: If an agency lacks enough staff to meet the 60% occupancy threshold, it must submit an "occupancy plan" within one year to the GSA Administrator and relevant congressional committees. This plan outlines steps to achieve 60% occupancy, prioritizing shared use of space with employees from other agencies.
- Reporting Requirement: One year after the policy deadline, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report to Congress on implementation, certified by the Office of Personnel Management Director and GSA Administrator.
- Noncompliance Penalties: Agencies failing to comply face forced disposal of underused properties:
- For owned or controlled properties: Sale by the agency or GSA.
- For leased properties: Early termination if possible, or prohibition on renewing the lease.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces mandatory minimums for in-person work (80% of employees) and office occupancy (60% of usable space), which were not previously required by federal law. It builds on existing laws like the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 by enforcing utilization through penalties, rather than just recommending reforms. It also mandates policy amendments and interagency space-sharing plans, shifting from voluntary telework flexibility (expanded during the COVID-19 era) to stricter in-office presence.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies may need to revise telework policies, relocate staff, or share spaces, potentially improving collaboration but increasing operational costs for commuting and facilities maintenance. Noncompliance could lead to property sales or lease terminations, reducing agency footprints and freeing up federal real estate.
- On Citizens and Taxpayers: Could save billions in maintenance and leasing costs for underused buildings (estimated at nearly 90 million square feet in the National Capital Region alone), but might raise commuting-related environmental concerns or strain public transit. Health risks from vacant buildings, like bacterial growth (e.g., Legionella causing infections), may decrease with higher occupancy.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly affect U.S. diplomatic efficiency if agencies like the State Department adjust staffing in headquarters buildings.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies and Employees: All civilian federal agencies (over 100 entities) and their roughly 2 million employees must adapt to reduced telework, potentially affecting work-life balance and recruitment.
- General Services Administration (GSA): Oversees certification, property management, and enforcement, including sales or lease actions.
- Congressional Committees: Environment and Public Works (Senate) and Transportation and Infrastructure (House) receive occupancy plans and oversee implementation.
- Taxpayers and the Public: Benefit from potential cost savings but may face indirect effects like changes in agency service delivery.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill relies on executive authority over agency policies but imposes enforceable deadlines and penalties, which could lead to lawsuits over employee rights (e.g., challenges under civil service laws protecting telework). Definitions align with existing statutes, ensuring enforceability without creating new regulatory burdens.
- Constitutional: No direct conflicts, but it may raise questions about federal spending power (Article I) if property sales generate revenue, or equal protection if exceptions favor larger agencies.
- Political: Promotes fiscal conservatism by targeting "waste" in federal operations, potentially sparking debates on remote work post-pandemic. It could influence broader telework policies and set precedents for mandating in-person requirements in government, amid partisan divides on efficiency versus flexibility.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-01-15: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Reinforce Occupancy Obligations for Maximized Interagency Efficiency Act — issued 2025-01-15 — PDF (7 pages)